Last week Oracle’s Team USA accomplished the greatest comeback in America’s Cup history and one of the most dramatic in any sport. Trailing 8-1 to the challenger, Emirates Team New Zealand, and within one defeat of losing the Cup, Oracle pushed on and proceeded to win an unprecedented eight straight races to defend the trophy.

After completing their amazing victory, the managing director of Team New Zealand, Grant Dalton said, “They just got better and better”.

While USA’s skipper and crew certainly deserve recognition and high praise for making the on-the-fly boat configuration adjustments that reduced the drag and created the increased speed required to pull ahead, none of this would have been possible without their persistence and determination to succeed.

Down 8-1, it certainly would have been easier to concede defeat and forfeit the title. Fortunately, as is so often the case with true champions, they did not give in but rather relentlessly pursued their goal despite the seemingly overwhelming odds against them.

This lesson applies perfectly to Pinnacle Performance. As Calvin Coolidge said in his famous quote, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence”.